Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The family of Professor Uwadinachi Iweha, former Chief Medical Director, CMD, of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), abducted last year has said that the whereabouts of the septuagenarian is still unknown.
Worried about his safety, the family appealed to his abductors to release him.
Professor Iweha was abducted by unidentified armed men on June 5, 2022 in front of his house located at Umuokpara area of Umuahia.
First son of the victim, Chukwudi Iweha, an Engineer, who addressed newsmen in Umuahia, expressed fears over the safety of his father especially as they have neither heard from him nor his abductors.
He begged those behind his father’s disappearance to free him.
“We are still looking for our father and pleading with whoever planned his abduction or his abductors to please release him to us.
“As a family, we cannot discern the motive behind this evil act or even point any accusing fingers at anybody; we have our trust in God that he will return and be reunited with us in good health,” he said.
The family expressed surprise that his abductors were yet to be arrested by security agencies.
“The security forces have been working with us with some results, but 52 weeks have passed, and they have still not been able to produce the real culprits behind this devilish act or return our father to us.”
The family commended the Nigeria Medical Association and other concerned groups for their concerted efforts to rescue him.
“There have been several protests by the Nigerian Medical Association, Abia State Chapter, who even went on a three-day strike in June 2022 due to the lack of government response.
“The Umuopara Clan Women also staged two protests over his abduction in August 2022.The Community elder, HRH Godfrey Ibeakanma (Eze Ukwu I of Ezeleke), relations, and friends did their best to assist the family in pressuring the security agencies.”
The family said their father did not deserve the misery he had been subjected to.
“He returned to Abia state to serve his community and contribute his quota to its development and was repaid with this wicked act,” they agonised.
They appealed to Governor Alex Otti “to assist us in tasking the security agencies to bring this matter to a positive conclusion.”
They also appealed to the media to help create further awareness “of our painful and traumatising situation, with the hope that anyone with information will come forward, and it will lead to the rescue or release of our father.”
“They can contact the police or the following numbers 08035514107, 08036707100.”
Professor Iweha was also the CMD of Abia Specialist Hospital, Amachara.
